Simon Fraser University Athletics

Mel Groenewegen – Surrey, BC / Elgin Park Secondary / College of Southern Idaho / South Carolina Upstate
Position: Infield
Height: 5'8"
Club Team: White Rock Renegades
Peters: "Mel is a versatile infielder and an all-around athlete. She had success in her minor career with the White Rock Renegades and went on to play college ball, where she continued to have success. She has the skill set and game sense to move around the infield to play in any position. She can also hit for power and has had lots of success with her bat. Mel is an athlete who enjoys the game, has a positive attitude and is a team player."

After spending two seasons playing for the College of Southern Idaho, Mel Groenewegen returns home to finish her collegiate career at SFU. The Surrey, BC native graduated in 2016 from Elgin Park Secondary before moving to Twin Falls, ID. She had an outstanding freshman season, hitting .451 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 77 RBIs and boasted a .993 fielding percentage. She received Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) All-Region 18 First Team honour.

Groenewegen followed it up with a sophomore year that saw the five-foot-eight infielder earn numerous awards. She had 102 hits (20 doubles, 17 home runs), 82 RBIs, a .518 batting average and scored 63 runs. That was enough to earn her All-Region 18 First Team, NJCAA All-West Region First Team, as well as All-American Second Team nods from both the NJCAA and the NFCA. Outside of softball, Groenewegen is also a top student, having been on the Dean's List at Southern Idaho and at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She will be working towards a major in Criminology in the Fall.

Why SFU? "I chose SFU because I wanted to represent the only NCAA team in Canada. I also loved the thought of playing in front of all of my friends and family because I haven't had a chance to do that in my collegiate career as I've only played in the US."